Color Throwdown: Just Because

 I love the colors this week at the Color Throwdown. I've been using various combinations of these colors over the summer while creating cheerful cards of encouragement. I haven't added a peachy color so when I saw the color combo, I wanted to give it a try. I like it - the peach softens the look.

I love their graphic too - I want those in my yard!  I wasn't sure what kind of center to add to my die cut flowers. I was looking at the graphic and at the die set and decided to use these itty-bitty flowers to add texture to the center.  I have no idea if that's what they are meant for but I like the result.

I used black in the sentiment and I have a real problem using black just in the sentiment.  Often a black splatter ties it out for me, but I didn't want to mess with the clean design. So I added a strip of paper with diagonal stripes. I'm kind of wishing I had made it a bit thinner, but it is what it is!

Thanks to Color Throwdown for the inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Just Because

Dies: Concord & 9th Just Because

Memory Box: Delicate Pine

I was looking through challenges yesterday and realized I had totally meant to play along with the Memory Box Happy Holidays challenge that closes today. I put this card together in record-breaking time.  Sometimes I like when that happens.  Don't get me wrong, I love the process - trying different and layouts and sentiments until I love the result.  But it's amazing how often I like the quick and easy cards - the cards I don't overthink!!  Of course, it helps to have lovely stamps, dies and paper!!

This started out with the idea of a shaker card but my eyes fell on that glitter paper.  The glitter has such a variety of colors yet all so soft; it probably has more sparkle than a shaker would have. Then I just found some darker cardstock that coordinated.  Finally I pulled out the star die and some foil (which made this photo hard to get as I was reflected in the foil when I leaned over to take the photo!) This photo doesn't begin to do it all justice.

Thank you to Memory Box for the challenge that inspired me to pull out these lovely products.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Memory Box Bold Christmas Greetings and coordinating dies

Dies: Memory Box Delicate Pine Frame, Star of Wonder

Paper: Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter Paper and Polished Foil Pad, Stampin' Up Pretty Peacock

Other: Trinity Stamps Silver Stones

Fusion: Dragonfly

 I ordered a beautiful dragonfly die a few months back and the poor thing hasn't been used yet.  I was thrilled when I saw the dragonfly challenge at Fusion that included a lovely graphic.

The dragonfly and the holographic paper was released from Simon Says a few releases ago.  I used it to justify buying a big leaf die that I'd had on my wishlist forever thinking he could sit on it (funny how that works!!.  But the lovely graphic from Fusion sent me in a different direction so that leaf die will just have to wait. I don't have any dies with that specific look but I found some flowers with the general shape and I used Distress Oxides to give them the colors.  I had that fun attached label in my not-yet-used collection specifically for bouquets of those flowers.

Everything has a bit of dimension. Often when a card seems a bit blah - after I add dimension, it is just right!

Thank you to the Fusion challenge for the inspiration.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Verve Amazing Wishes

Paper: Simon Says Stamp Assorted Holographic, Stampin' Up Highland Heather

Dies: Pinkfresh Dainty Blossoms and Noteworthy Frames, Simon Says Stamp Etched Dragonfly

Inks: Distress Oxides Twisted Citron, Pine Needles, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Tumbled Glass

Other: Trinity Stamps Rainbow Reflection Rhinestone Mix

Christmas Kickstart: Ornamental Birds

I will always be a player of challenges.  I need some piece of the card-making equation to be defined for me.  When I have to pick a theme and colors and a layout and the stamps or dies and a sentiment and...and...and - I kind of freeze. My husband would tell you that I have too much stuff to pick from - he'd be right.  When yet another new addition to my stash arrive in my mailbox and the Christmas Birds challenge at Christmas Kickstart happened at the same time - I didn't freeze at all!!

 

This die set is just charming.  I had so much fun putting this together!  He's an odd looking little bird but it just adds to the retro look.  I did give him a branch to sit on and I decorated the ornament with a bow both from a different Sizzix set - Funky Festive.

Thank you to Christmas Kickstart for the inspiration! (And I have just realized that I could have used their logo for color inspiration.  I love it when an entire post matches!)

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: The Greetery Sentiment Suite: Christmas

Dies: Sizzix/Tim Holtz Ornamental Birds and Funky Festive, The Greetery Sentiment Suite Basic, Simon Says A2 Thin Frames

Paper: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Flirty Flamingo, Balmy Blue, Just Jade, Soft Suede

Other: Studio Katia Pearls in Rose Pink, Bora Bora and Bluebell

Freshly Made Sketches: A Hug and a Smile

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Karren and here’s what I did with it!

   

I had not yet put away a recent order - one of the new florals from Concord & 9th.  I saw them on my desk and thought I'd do three fun flowers for this card.  Then I got wild and crazy and put berries and leaves to the right instead of a third floral.  Hey - that's a big creative moment for me!  The biggest reason it even occurred to me was that it allowed me to add some more colors because I am loving this color combo!

Lately all of my sentiments have been about sending hugs and smiles - or just thinking of yous.  There are still so many people, particularly older people, who are essentially home-bound.  My MIL is on of them. She's a very active women, but is scared to be out and about, so is absolutely stir-crazy (but has mastered Zoom!!) So she's one of many that I am showering with cards. Not to mention retirement homes or memory care facilities.  These cheerful colors and fun flowers will be just perfect!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Honey Bee Stamps Smile, Concord & 9th Background

Dies: Concord & 9th Freshly Cut Florals Edition 3

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Misty Moonlight, Bumblebee, Magenta Madness, Cinnamon Cider, Shaded Spruce, Just Jade

Ink: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Versamark

Other: Stampin' Up 2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots

Cupcake Inspiration 500th Challenge

This is my second post today. 

The Cupcake Inspiration challenge is celebrating its 500th challenge. That is definitely something to celebrate and I celebrated big!!

I got that "Big Birthday Wishes" die when I was first discovering the fun of slimline cards. (NOTE: the white panel is exactly 3 1/2 x 8 1/2 and the die just fits. When I got the card done, I decided it needed just a bit of a frame around the white so it's now slightly bigger. It won't fit in an A9 envelope, but it does fit in the bigger A10.)  

Of course, I had to use a cupcake.  This is the biggest cupcake I have, but sadly when I pulled out the set, the candle die that comes with is missing but I found a substitute.  The bow isn't in the cupcake set but it's one of my favorites and I loved the look with this cheerful card.  Some stripes of paper and a sprinkling of coordinating sequins and it's definitely a big and bright birthday card.

Congratulations to Cupcake Inspirations!!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Honey Bee Stamps Cupcake Builder (not the candle), My Favorite Thing Big Birthday Wishes, Taylored Expressions Little Bits - Bows

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, and Daffodil Delight (and old dsp); Taylored Expressions Cupcake and Pink Champagne

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Valentine Mix and Marigold gems, Little Things Tangerine Mix

Just Add Ink: Where the WiFi is Weak

 I have lived and played in Colorado for my entire adult life. I love our mountains and their many "moods".  Sometimes they look rugged and imposing.  Then there are times when the sun is setting that they turn black with indescribably brilliant colors behind them.  Sometimes they get a misty look - like artwork created with torn paper. And that mood is what I envisioned when I saw the colors at Just Add Ink.

I have loved that sentiment since I first saw it but have had no use for it.  I actually still don't have any use for it - I have no idea to whom I would send this card so I think I'll keep it.  I have photo ledges above my computer that I use to display my cards until they are sent.  I'll display this one up there as a daily reminder of the beauty surrounding me!

An update on our fires.  I-70 is re-open, not because that fire is out but because it's moved away from the interstate although I'm not sure I'd drive through this. (Photo from 9News)

The biggest fire is now the second biggest in Colorado history.  It is 44% contained so there is progress. Another big fire is in the mountains above where my son goes to school and is 0% contained and has burned 18,000 acres. We get regular updates from the church camp that we have spent lots of time at for over 20 years and it's quite bleak. Yesterday they said that while the fire is still far away, the wind is blowing it towards them and there is nothing to stop it, in fact, there are forests of beetle-kill trees for it to burn through. Fire crews took a few staff members up to pick buildings that they will try to save. The camp sits right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park so there's nothing to stop the fire after it blows through our beloved camp.  (My heart goes out to all in California impacted by fires.  Colorado has had around 200,000 acres burn - California is at 1.4 million. What a year it has been.)

Thank you to Just Add Ink for the inspiration to create a tribute to my Colorado mountains.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Pinkfresh Studios Through the Trees

Dies: Altenew Mountain Die Set

Paper: Stampin' Up Purple Posy, Misty Moonlight, Seaside Spray

Ink: Stampin' Up Misty Moonlight, Versamark (with fine detail embossing powder)